He wrapped his face in his mantle: Like Moses, who covered his face so he would not see God (Exo 3.6), Elijah also covers his face in order not to see God. According to Exo 19.21, the people of Israel would perish if they looked at God. Elijah’s mantle or “cloak” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation) was an outer garment apparently made of hair-covered skin (2 Kgs 1.8).

Behold, there came a voice to him: Behold in this context may possibly introduce a concluding sentence, as it sometimes does. New Revised Standard Version (similarly New Jerusalem Bible) says “Then there came a voice to him.” See verse 5. In some languages it may be more natural to say “Then Elijah heard a voice.” Contemporary English Version has “The LORD asked” to make clear who the speaker is. This rendering is acceptable since the next verse shows clearly that Elijah is responding to the LORD.

What are you doing here, Elijah?: For the word order of this question, see the comments on verse 9.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .